On Oct. 30-31, “The Belt and Road” Initiative and International Seminar on China-Latin America Relations co-hosted by Shanghai Academy and the Center for Latin American Studies of Shanghai University was held at Baoshan campus of Shanghai University.

Professor Wen Xueguo, Executive Vice President of Shanghai Academy and Vice President (temporary post) of Shanghai University, and Bernardo Guillamon, Manager of the IDB’s Office of Outreach and Partnerships, were invited to attend and address the event. More than 50 experts and scholars from Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Colombia, the United States, South Korea, and China, and consul generals and diplomatic officers from consulates in Shanghai of the Latin American countries, and officers of the Inter-American Development Bank attended the meeting.

The Belt and Road Initiative provides a brand new international public product for global governance and globalization, and embodies China’s responsibility and courage as a big power in its peaceful rise. According to the “Five Connectivities” established by the Belt and Road Initiative, the seminar has provided five topics for discussion, namely, promoting policy coordination, facilities connectivity, unimpeded trade, financial integration and people-to-people bonds. Experts and scholars expressed their views on relevant topics, and put forward many operational and constructive opinions and suggestions.

“Belt and Road” fully relies on the existing bilateral and multilateral mechanisms between China and other countries along the Belt and Road, and actively develops economic partnership with other countries along the Belt and Road with the help of established and effective cooperation platforms, so as to jointly build a community of shared interests, destiny and responsibility, featuring mutual political trust, economic integration, and cultural inclusiveness. The “Belt and Road” strategy requires the joint efforts and development in concert from both China and the countries along the route.

Wen Xueguo pointed out that the rapid development of China-Latin America relations has drawn great attention from international academic circles. Under the “Belt and Road” initiative, we not only need to carry forward the spirit of research, but also conduct in-depth discussions with foreign counterparts. Especially, when the “Belt and Road” construction has entered the current new development stage, we should listen to opinions from foreign experts and scholars.

(By the Center for Latin American Studies of Shanghai University)